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Pregnancy is a beautiful time in a woman’s life, but can sometimes produce not-so-beautiful side effects like morning sickness and exhaustion. In some women, “blurred vision” can also be added to that list.
Blurred vision can affect pregnant women at any time during pregnancy, usually due to fluctuating hormones. In the vast majority of cases, a woman’s vision will return to normal within a few weeks following delivery. Rarely, blurred vision may be caused by serious pregnancy-related medical conditions, so it’s important to alert your physician and your eye doctor if you notice a change in your eyesight.
At James Tracey Eye Care, we treat patients with all sorts of visual conditions, including pregnancy-related blurred vision. Read on to learn more about its causes and how it can be managed.
How Can Pregnancy Cause Blurred Vision?
One of the most common reasons for a pregnant woman to experience blurred or hazy vision is due to hormonal changes. Pregnancy hormones cause fluid retention, which results in the cornea becoming thicker. Since the cornea is responsible for focusing most of the light the eye sees, vision can be altered by this corneal change.
Usually, during their second and third trimesters, some women experience decreased eye pressure (IOP). IOP changes typically return to pre-pregnancy levels by two months postpartum. Excessive amounts of progesterone throughout pregnancy can soften the corneal tissue, causing a woman to experience double or blurred vision. Pregnancy hormones also decrease tear production, which can affect how clearly she sees.
Some complications of pregnancy, such as gestational diabetes or preeclampsia, can also be responsible for changes in vision. Gestational diabetes can cause temporary vision loss, light sensitivity, and flashes of light. And preeclampsia can cause modifications in the cornea and even damage to the retina, due to elevated blood pressure. For this reason, it is crucial that your physician regularly monitor your blood sugar levels and blood pressure.
We Can Manage Pregnancy-Related Blurred Vision and Other Eye Conditions
If you are pregnant and experiencing any sort of visual changes, speak with James Sinoway O.D. about how to manage and ease your symptoms. It may be advisable to discontinue wearing contact lenses and switch to glasses for the duration of your pregnancy. James Sinoway O.D. can also suggest several eye exercises and prescribe pregnancy-safe eye drops that may provide some relief while you’re expecting.
Don’t let uncomfortable or bothersome visual symptoms stop you from enjoying this special time. Call James Tracey Eye Care to schedule your appointment today.
Article Source Why Pregnancy Causes Blurred Vision and ways to deal with it